Five past seven, that was what Nicholas' watch said as he checked in the hallway. Theora had yet to come down and now he thought he shouldn't have let Misha and Roberto go home five minutes ago because he sure as hell wasn't going up to call her.

Theora was ready but was hesitant to go downstairs. The shirt she had been wearing was definitely not hers and since Nicholas was the only other person living with her there it was probably his. What if he went off at her for wearing it she worried. Taking a deep breath and gathering the little courage she had Theora made her way downstairs.

Nicholas was checking his emails on his phone when he felt Theora's presence at the top of the stairs. Looking up at her the air was knocked out of his body. Theora looked angelic in her blue dress, Nicholas suddenly felt clammy and uncomfortable like a school boy infront of his crush. She looked better in my shirt he thought then the image of her in it popped up in his mind. Great just great he thought just what I needed. Frustrated he grabbed the keys to the car and went outside.

Theora who was too busy keeping the hem of the dress up so as not to trip it while walking down the stairs only looked up when she was at the bottom of the steps and Nicholas was grabbing the car keys to leave. She quickly followed him outside and when Nicholas sat down in the car without opening the car door for her Theora found herself in another predicament. Does she sit in the passenger seat or the back seat? Taking a chance she opened the passenger door and took a breath of relief when Nicholas didn't say anything.

Nicholas started up the car and fastened his seatbelt Theora reached for hers too but it seemed to be stuck as she tugged. Nicholas let out a frustrated sigh but reached out for it, his fingers brushed hers and both of them unknowingly looked at each other at the same time in surprise. Time seemed to slowdown as their gaze met entranced they both looked at each other with a need neither of them understood. Nicholas averted his gaze and with on swift tug pulled the seatbelt over Theora and fastened it he turned his attention back to the car and drove off acting like nothing happened. Theora felt like her breath was stuck in her throat and coughed slightly to make herself feel better.

The venue was only a fifteen minute drive away, the valet opened the door for Theora while Nicholas made his way round and handed him the keys. Theora thanked the valet and stood by the entrance. To her surprise Nicholas held out his arm to hold she stood there confused for a second before holding on to it and both went inside together.

People turned there heads to look at the handsome couple as they entered. They whispered amongst themselves talking about the new Markopoulos couple and how their wedding was the talk of the town a few months earlier.

A hostess showed Nicholas and Theora their place at the table, Nicholas had barely sat with her for a minute when someone called his name and Nicholas went up to talk to him. There were other people at the table too an elderly couple who were hard of hearing yet continued asking Theora questions which she had to repeat many times before they heard her properly and middle aged woman who couldn't seem to put her phone down with the constant calls that were coming. After a while when Theora scanned the room for Nicholas she found him in a lounge chair in the corner with a woman on each of his side talking to a few male friends who also had women companions with them.

Theora suddenly had a weird feeling engulf here she felt angry, alone and out of place all at the same time.

"You look pale dear are you well?" The elderly lady asked. Theora nodded not having the patience to scream yes so the woman could hear her. Theora excused herself to go to the bathroom not that anyone at the table heard her. Inside the bathroom she waited a while for the two ladies who were already there to leave before leaning on the counter and placing all her weight on it. Theora looked at herself her makeup was still fine but what did it matter her stupid husband was too busy with other women to notice. She angrily pulled at the paper towel roll ripping it in the process for no apparent reason. Theora couldn't lie to herself anymore the feeling she was feeling was jealousy and you only get jealous when you like someone.

As much as Theora would've loved to spend the rest of the evening in the bathroom she knew she had to go out sometime. Theora exited the bathroom and walked down the hallway towards the ballroom.

"She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright" Theora heard someone say in a heavy Russian accent behind her she turned her head sligtly to see who it was.

"Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies." He continued. "Lord Bryon. That's not my name it's the person who wrote the poem I have to give credit where it's due"

Theora looked at the man with a confused expression. He was a well built man probably in his late twenties or early thirties you could never tell with buff men. A nice square jaw and manly features towering at over six feet Theora noticed as he took a few steps towards her.

"Myself I am Sergei Ilanov. I seek forgiveness if my sudden recitation of poetry offended you but as you walked past I must say never before has art depicted life so beautifully as today" he smiled

"I'm sorry I have to go, my husband must be waiting" Theora muttered feeling uncomfortable

"Ah yes of course. The curse of Sergei strikes again. You know last week I was smitten by another girl we talk in the bar a while later it turns out she's a lesbian. You think I could tell she was one I was so oblivious thinking that she must be a very confident straight woman in a pantsuit" Sergei rambled "guess it's my loss"

Theora found herself unknowingly smiling at his story. He was some character she had to admit.

"Aha I made you laugh. Sergei thinks that does earn me something at least to know your name" said Sergei "wait don't tell me if I'm correct you're Greek no. That is one of the many qualities of Sergei he can tell instantly who is from where, not that I am a racist, Sergei loves all of God's creatures. So what is this Greek goddesses name Athena, Hera, Artemis or a more suiting Aphrodite"

"My name is Theora, Theora Markopoulos"

"Ah Theora the watcher of truth and justice. See I told you I could tell where a girl is from"

"But you can't tell whether she's a lesbian or married" Theora couldn't help herself Sergei had such a charming friendly personality it was hard to ignore him.

"Touché madam" Sergei laughed "Touche"

"Well it was nice to meet you Sergei"

"The pleasure is always mine" Sergei nodded and Theora turned around to leave.

"Till we meet again" he called after her

"Till we meet again" Theora repeated turning slightly around with an earnest smile. As Theora turned her head back around she came face to face with Nicholas who was watching her at the end of the hallway. Theora paused for a second seeing him.

"Nicholas" she muttered confused as to why he was there.

Nicholas' gaze went from her to Sergei behind her and his expression hardened he clenched his jaw and fists. Theora also felt all the previous anger return and chose to walk past Nicholas to go back into the ballroom.

When Theora sat down back at her place this time Nicholas joined her and didn't move from her side till they went home a little while later.

The drive back was a solemn one which wasn't any different from all the other times they were alone but this time the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Nicholas swerved the car angrily and was speeding dangerously while Theora was scared half to death she didn't show it choosing to ignore him and focus her gaze towards the window.

As they reached home Theora got out of the car wanting to get away from Nicholas as soon as possible. She was at the foot of the steps when she heard something behind her.

"How long have you been with him?" Nicholas asked. Theora turned around not understanding what he meant.

"What are you talking about?"

"Your boyfriend"

"What boyfriend?"

"Oh so he's more of a fling then. How many more flings do you have running around?"

Boyfriend? Fling? Did he mean Sergei Theora thought

"If you mean that man in the hallway I just met him today" Theora replied in an annoyed manner

"You sure do get friendly with strangers" remarked Nicholas.

This made Theora mad. He was accusing her of being outwardly friendly.

"Why do you care anyway? You've never cared before and the last I remember you were perfectly happy hanging around with your friends at the party. Why does it bother you if I made a friend there too?"

"I don't care the least bit" he lied "make as many 'friends' as you wish by all means but do it at your parents house not while under my roof. I'm sick and tired of everyone telling me you're my responsibility. Leave it would make everything so simple I wouldn't have you hanging around my neck with everyone insisting I keep you around just so I can hold my place in the family and office" Nicholas ranted almost popping a vein.

Theora was about to say something when Nicholas' words sunk in.

"Why don't you leave me?" She asked to which Nicholas face turned white "why are you telling me to leave and not doing it yourself? Since day one you've made it a point you don't want this then why are you still around?"

"Because you don't want to be the one to blame" she spat "you want our families to pin all the blame on me so you can run around happily with no worries in the world"

Nicholas was about to say something but Theora didn't let him.

"Listen to me good, whatever you do whatever you say I. Am. Going. Nowhere" Theora said with more determination than she ever thought she had "I am not going to disappoint my family if you want out of this relationship you will have do it yourself"

"You'll regret this Theora Botsaris. I'm telling you" Nicholas warned.

"It's Theora Nicholas Markopoulos" and with that she stomped upstairs to her room.